Selected mineral content of common leafy vegetables consumed in India at different stages of maturity

Micromineral contents were estimated in commonly consumed green leafy veget ables: Koyyathotakura and Peddathotakura (varieties of Amaranthus species); Erragogu and Tellagogu (variety of Hibiscus species) Gangabayalakura and p alak at three different stages of maturity. Varietal differences were also observed. The results of the study showed that as the plant matured from st age I (15 days) to stage II (30 days), iron and manganese contents increase d whereas zinc and copper contents decreased as the plant matured. Varietal differences were also observed at different stages of maturity. The result s also indicated that the consumption of green leafy vegetables at stage I and stage II potentially provides the greatest amount of a mineral.